UNIVERSITY OF DUHOK

COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING
CIVIL DEPARTMENT-
ENGINEERING SURVEYING

STUDY OF TOTAL STATION

&
TOTAL STATION SURVEYING

BY
STUDENT NAME: GORGEES A. KAWRASH
GROUP: A

SUPERVISOR
“MR. AGEED”

EXPERIMNET NO.: 5
EXPERIMENT DATE: April 26, 2023
Table of Contents
1 STUDY OF THEODOLITE ................................................................................................................... 2
1.1 DEFINITION .............................................................................................................................. 2
1.2 Objectives ................................................................................................................................ 2
1.3 COMPONENTS OF TOTAL STATION ......................................................................................... 2
1.4 PARTS OF TOTAL STATION....................................................................................................... 3
1.5 ACCESSORIES FOR TOTAL STATION ......................................................................................... 3
1.6 TYPES OF TOTAL STATION ....................................................................................................... 4
1.6.1 Manual Total Station ....................................................................................................... 4
1.6.2 Semi-automatic Total Station .......................................................................................... 4
1.6.3 Automatic Total Station .................................................................................................. 4
1.6.4 Servo Driven and Robotic Total Station .......................................................................... 5
1.6.5 Servo Driven Total Station............................................................................................... 5
1.6.6 Auto-Tracking Servo-Driven Total Station ....................................................................... 5
1.7 USES OF TOTAL STATION IN SURVEYING ................................................................................ 6
1.8 INSTRUMENT SETUP................................................................................................................ 6
1.8.1 Tripod .............................................................................................................................. 6
1.8.2 Setup step-by-step .......................................................................................................... 7
1.8.3 Level up with the electronic level step-by-step .............................................................. 7
1.9 References ............................................................................................................................... 8
2 TOTAL STATION SURVEYING ........................................................................................................... 9
2.1 Concept of Working ................................................................................................................ 9
2.2 Total Station Operations ....................................................................................................... 10
2.3 Distance Measurement ......................................................................................................... 10
2.4 ANGLE MEASURMENT ........................................................................................................... 11
2.4.1 Horizontal Angle ............................................................................................................ 11
2.4.2 Vertical Angle ................................................................................................................ 12
2.5 Coordinate Measurement ..................................................................................................... 13
2.6 Station Setup Results ............................................................................................................ 13
2.7 Surveying ............................................................................................................................... 15
2.8 STAKEOUT.............................................................................................................................. 15
2.8.1 Description .................................................................................................................... 15
2.8.2 Stakeout modes............................................................................................................. 16
2.9 DATA MANAGEMENT ............................................................................................................ 18
2.10 References ............................................................................................................................. 23

1
1 STUDY OF THEODOLITE

1.1 DEFINITION

A total station is an electronic/optical instrument used in modern surveying

and building construction that uses electronic transit theodolite in
conjunction with electronic distance meter (EDM).It is also integrated with
microprocessor, electronic data collector and storage system.
The instrument is used to measure sloping distance of object to the
instrument, horizontal angles and vertical angles. This Microprocessor unit
enables for computation of data collected to further calculate the horizontal
distance, coordinates of a point and reduced level of point.

1.2 Objectives

To study different parts of Total Station and instrument setup.

1.3 COMPONENTS OF TOTAL STATION

1. Electronic transit theodolite

2. Electronic distance meter (EDM)
3. Microprocessor
4. Electronic data collector & storage system
5. Keyboard: It is an essential accessory of the Total station, for
providing the order to the microprocessor inbuilt in the Total
station which contains different order keys. These keys
incorporate switching keys, command keys, lighting keys, power
keys, and so on.
6. Data Collector: The data collector collects and stores the
information. The entire activity of taking in-out and putting away
information is constrained by the information gatherer.

2
1.4 PARTS OF TOTAL STATION

Detachable carrying handle

Object lens
Focusing telescope image

Eyepiece; focusing graticule

Vertical drive

Trigger key

On/Off key

Horizontal drive Standard keyboard

Foot screw

1.5 ACCESSORIES FOR TOTAL STATION

I. Total Station Battery & Charger.

II. Total Station Prism.
III. Stand For Total Station.
IV. Total Station Tripod & Bipod.
V. Total Station Prism Pole.

3
1.6 TYPES OF TOTAL STATION

1.6.1 Manual Total Station

Manual Total Stations It was necessary to read the horizontal and
vertical angles manually in this type of instrument. The single
value that may be read digitally was that slope distances.

1.6.2 Semi-automatic Total Station

The user needed to manually read the horizontal circle for all
these instruments, but the vertical ring readings have been
displayed. Slope distances were measured electronically, and
also the instruments could, generally, be used to reduce the
values to vertical and horizontal components.

1.6.3 Automatic Total Station

This type is the most usual total station used today. They feel
both the vertical and horizontal angles electronically and
measure the slope distances, compute the vertical and horizontal
components of those these spaces, and then determine the
coordinates of observed points.
To compute the coordinates of observed points, it is necessary
to properly orient the instrument to some known directions such
as true north, magnetic north or to some known bearing.
The coordinate information obtained can either be stored in the
total station’s memory or by using an external data collector.
Almost all total stations in the market use infrared as the carrier
for distance measurement. The less expensive unit with a single
prism reflector can measure distances up to 1000 m.
Those in the higher price range are capable of measuring
distances up to 2000 m when single prisms are used. The
accuracies of measurements with the less expensive instruments
probably run about (5 mm ±15 ppm), and the expensive total
stations can run about (1 mm ±11 ppm).

4
1.6.4 Servo Driven and Robotic Total Station
Refinements to existing technology are the classes of
servodriven and robotic optical total stations. Their importance
in the last few years is seen to be steadily increasing.
Their added functionality makes them suitable for intense
mapping. Because of their capacity to improve the surveying
operation significantly, they can be classified into a separate
group.

1.6.5 Servo Driven Total Station

Servo-driven instruments are particularly appealing where
automatic pointing is desired. This is done by using motors to
aim and position the instrument.
In the case of setting out, it makes it feasible to set control points
for surveying with very little sighting through the telescope.

1.6.6 Auto-Tracking Servo-Driven Total Station

A further enhancement to the servo-driven instrument is the
autotracking feature. This enables the servo-driven instrument
to lock onto a target and follow it. By having a servo-driven
instrument with auto-tracking feature, several operational
improvements are obtained. Since the target is followed as it
moves, the person holding the rod (rod person) seldom has to
wait for the instrument person. Aiming and focussing are
eliminated from the manual operations required to take a
reading. Errors in observations due to parallax error are
eliminated as well

5
1.7 USES OF TOTAL STATION IN SURVEYING

I. Distance Measuring (Horizontal, Vertical and Slope).

II. Angle Measurement (Horizontal and Vertical).

III. Co-ordinate Determinations (X,Y and Z).

IV. Area calculation

V. Mining.

VI. Civil Engineering Construction Works.

1.8 INSTRUMENT SETUP

1.8.1 Tripod

1. Set up the tripod at the appropriate height.

2. Visually check that the tripod is level and centered over the ground
point.

3. Press the tripod legs into the ground to guarantee a firm foothold.

4. Attach the instrument to the tripod and “center” the foot screws.

6
1.8.2 Setup step-by-step

1. Extend the tripod legs to allow for a comfortable working posture.

Position the tripod over the marked ground point, centring it as best as
possible.

2. Fasten the tribrach and instrument onto the tripod.

3. Turn on the instrument, and, if tilt correction is set to 1- or 2axis, the

laser plummet will be activated automatically, and the Level/Plummet
screen appears. Otherwise, press FNC from within any application and
select Level/Plummet.

4. Move the tripod legs (1) and use the tribrach footscrews (6) to center
the plummet (4) over the ground point.

INSTRUMENT SETUP

5. Adjust the tripod legs (5) to level the circular level (7).

6. By using the electronic level, turn the tribrach footscrews (6) to

precisely level he instrument. Refer to "Level up with the electronic level
step-by-step".

7. Center the instrument precisely over the ground point by shifting the
tribrach on the tripod plate (2).

8. Repeat steps 6. and 7. until the required accuracy is achieved.

1.8.3 Level up with the electronic level step-by-step

The electronic level can be used to precisely level up the instrument using
the footscrews of the tribrach.

1. Turn the instrument until it is parallel to two footscrews.

2. Center the circular level approximately by turning the footscrews of

the tribrach.

7
3. Turn on the instrument, and, if tilt correction is set to 1- or 2axis, the
laser plummet will be activated automatically, and the Level/Plummet
screen appears. Otherwise, press FNC from within any application and
select Level/Plummet.

4. Center the electronic level of the first axis by turning the two footscrews.
Arrows show the direction of rotation required. When the electronic level is
centered the arrows are replaced by checkmarks.

5. Center the electronic level for the second axis by turning the last
footscrew. An arrow shows the direction of rotation required.
When the electronic level is centered the arrow is replaced by a
checkmark. When the electronic level is centered and three
checkmarks are shown, the instrument has been perfectly levelled up.
Accept with OK.

1.9 References

1. https:///topics/labreports
2. https:///typesoftheodolite/
3. https:///engineeringsurveyng

8
2 TOTAL STATION SURVEYING

2.1 Concept of Working

The device consists of three parts that come together to perform the work
of the Total station device, which are: -

1. An electronic theodolite for measuring vertical and horizontal angles,

accurate measurement reaches up to 1 second.
2. The electronic distance measurement unit (electronic distance meters
EDMS) and the general theory of electronic distance measurement is
based on that the device sends a radiation wave of a specific
wavelength and then reflects this wave on a reflector, where it
bounces back to be received by the same device, and the device
calculates the time of the wave ray’s travel. Known the speed and
length of the wave, the measured distance can be calculated by
measuring the flight time. There is an internal memory unit or a data
card to save the observations and then transfer it to the computer.
3. A microcomputer equipped with engineering rules to process the
calculations within the device and show the results on the screen of
the device during practical monitoring (such as calculating horizontal
distance and calculating the difference in elevations and calculating
the observed point coordinates by knowing the coordinates of the
known point etc.) and this is the device that mechanism of the
revolution of the land surveying reached in recent years.

9
2.2 Total Station Operations

Total station perform various operations as follows.

• Angle Measurements
• Distance Measurement
• Data Processing
• Display
• Electronic Book

2.3 Distance Measurement

Measurement of distance is accomplished employing Electronic Distance

Meters (EDMs). Various EDMIs in use are based on two methods:

1. Using timed pulse techniques such as those used in variety of radar

instruments.
2. Using measurements of a phase difference which may be equated
to one part of a cycle expressed in units of time or length.

A typical total station can measure distances up to 1,500 meters with an

accuracy of about 1.5 millimeters ± 2 parts per million. Reflectorless total
stations can measure distances to any object that is reasonably light in
color, up to a few hundred meters.

In Pulse techniques , all such measurements incorporate a very precise

measurement of time usually expressed in units of nanoseconds (1x10-9
s), which an Electro-Magnetic wave takes to travel from one station to
another. In this method, a short, intensive pulse radiation is transmitted to
a reflector target, which is immediately transmitted back to the receiver.
The distance (D) is computed as the velocity of light (V) multiplied by half
the time

10
2.4 ANGLE MEASURMENT

Total station consists of electronic theodolite that used for measuring

horizontal and vertical angles.

Most total station instruments measure angles by means of electro-optical

scanning of extremely precise digital bar-codes etched on rotating glass
cylinders or discs within the instrument. The best quality total stations are
capable of measuring angles to 0.5 arc-second. Inexpensive "construction
grade" total stations can generally measure angles to 5 or 10 arc-seconds.

2.4.1 Horizontal Angle

The horizontal angle is measured from the zero direction on the horizontal
scale (or horizontal circle). When the user first sets up the instrument the
choice of the zero direction is made – this is Instrument North. The user
may decide to set zero (North) in the direction of the long axis of the map
area, or choose to orient the instrument approximately to True, Magnetic
or Grid North.

The zero direction should be set so that it can be recovered if the instrument
was set up at the same location at some later date. This is usually done by
sighting to another benchmark, or to a distant recognizable object. Using a
magnetic compass to determine the orientation of the instrument is not
recommended and can very inaccurate. Most total stations can measure

11
angles to at least 5 seconds, or 0.0013888°, so aligning the instrument to
true north as well as the instrument can measure is next to impossible.

2.4.2 Vertical Angle

The vertical angle is measured relative to the local vertical (plumb)

direction. The vertical angle is usually measured as a zenith angle (0° is
vertically up, 90° is horizontal, and 180° is vertically down), although you
are also given the option of making 0° horizontal.

12
2.5 Coordinate Measurement

The coordinates of an unknown point relative to a known coordinate can be

determined using the total station as long as a direct line of sight can be
established between the two points. Angles and distances are measured
from the total station to points under survey, and the coordinates (X, Y, and
Z; or easting, northing, and elevation) of surveyed points relative to the
total station position are calculated using trigonometry and triangulation.

To determine an absolute location, a total station requires line of sight

observations and can be set up over a known point or with line of sight to
2 or more points with known location, called free stationing (Resection).

For this reason, some total stations also have a Global Navigation Satellite
System receiver and do not require a direct line of sight to determine
coordinates.

2.6 Station Setup Results

Computation procedure
The computation of the station position is done via the Method selected in
Enter Station Data.
If more than the minimum required measurements are performed, the
procedure uses a least squares adjustment to determine the 3D position
and averages orientation and height measurements.
The original averaged face I and face II measurements are used for the
computation process.
All measurements are treated with the same accuracy, whether these are
measured in single or dual face.
Easting and Northing are determined by the least squares method, which
includes standard deviation and improvements for horizontal
direction and horizontal distances.
The final height (H) is computed from averaged height differences based
on the original measurements.
The horizontal direction is computed with the original averaged face I and
face II measurements and the final computed plan position.
Station Setup Results
13
 Access
Press F4 Compute in the Accuracy Results screen.
This screen displays calculated station coordinates. The final computed
results depend on the Method selected in Enter Station Data. Standard
deviations and residuals for accuracy assessments are provided.

Next step
Press SET to set the station coordinates

and/or orientation and return to the

PROGRAMS menu.

14
2.7 Surveying

Description
Surveying is an application used for the measurement of an unlimited
number of points. It is comparable to Q-Survey from the MAIN MENU, but
includes pre-settings for the job, station and orientation prior to beginning
a survey.
Access
Select Prog from the MAIN MENU.
Select Surveying from the PROGRAMS menu.
Complete application pre-settings.
IndivPt
To switch between individual
and current point numbers.
DATA
To view measurement data.
CODE
To find/enter codes.
Q-CODE
To activate quick coding

2.8 STAKEOUT

2.8.1 Description

Stakeout is an application used to place marks in the field at

predetermined points. These predetermined points are the points to be
staked. The points to be staked may already exist in a job on the
instrument, or be manually entered.

15
The application can continuously display differences, between current
position and desired stake out position.

2.8.2 Stakeout modes

Points can be staked using different modes:

1. Polar mode.
2. Orthogonal to station mode.
3. Cartesian mode.

1. Polar Stakeout mode

16
2. Orthogonal to Station Stakeout mode

3. Cartesian Stakeout mode

17
2.9 DATA MANAGEMENT

File Management
Access
Select Manage
from the MAIN
MENU.
FILE
MANAGEMENT
The File
Management
menu contains
all functions
for entering,
editing,
checking and
deleting data
in the field.
F1-F4
To select menu item.
Next step
Either, select a menu option using F1 - F4.
Or, press ESC to return to the MAIN MENU.
Exporting Data
Description
Job data, format files, configuration sets and code lists can be exported
from the internal memory of the instrument. Data can be exported via:
1. The RS232 serial interface
A receiver, such as a laptop, is connected to the RS232 port. The receiver
requires FlexOffice or another third party software.
2. The USB device port
For instruments fitted with a Communication side cover. The USB device
can be connected to the USB device port housed in the Communication
side cover. The USB device requires FlexOffice or another third party
software.

18
3. A USB memory stick
For instruments fitted with a Communication side cover. A USB memory
stick can be inserted and removed from the USB host port housed in the
Communication side cover. No additional software is required for the
transfer.
Access
Select Transfer from the MAIN MENU.
Select Export Data.

To search for jobs or formats within the internal memory.

LIST
To list all jobs or formats within the internal memory.

19
Export data step-by-step
Press OK in the DATA EXPORT screen after selecting the export details.
If export is to a USB memory stick, select the desired file location and
press OK.
Data type Default folder on USB memory stick
Job data: Jobs
Format files: Formats
Codes: Codes
Select the data format, enter the file name and press OK or SEND.
If the data format is ASCII, the ASCII EXPORT DEFINITION screen
appears. Continue with step 4. For all other data format types, a message
will display confirming the successful export of data.

Define the
delimiter value and the data fields of the file and press OK. A message will
display confirming the successful export of data.
Notes :
A ’+’, ’-’, ’.’ or alphanumerical characters should not be used as delimiter
values in ASCII files. These characters can also be part of the point id or
coordinate values and if so, will generate errors where they occur in the
ASCII file.
Road data, Format and Backup data types, and the ASCII data format, are
only available for data exports to a USB memory stick, not via the RS232
serial interface.
All jobs, formats, code lists and configurations will be stored in the backup
folder created on the USB memory stick. The job data will be stored as
individual database files for each job, which can then be imported again.
20
Exportable job data formats

➢ Job data can be exported from a job in dxf, gsi, csv and xml file types,
or any other user defined ASCII format. A format can be defined in
FlexOffice Format Manager.

21
Importing Data
Description
For instruments fitted with a Communication side cover, data can be
imported to the internal memory of the instrument via a USB memory
stick.
Importable data formats
When importing data, the instrument automatically stores the file in a
directory folder based on the file extension. The following data formats
can be imported:

Access
Select Transfer from the MAIN MENU.
Select Import Data.

Importing a backup folder will overwrite the existing configuration file and
code lists on the instrument, and all existing formats and jobs will be
deleted.
Import data step by- step
Press OK in the DATA IMPORT screen to proceed to the USB memory stick
file directory.
Select the file or backup folder on the USB memory stick to be imported
and press OK.

22
For a file: Define the Job name for the imported file, and, if requested, the
file definition and layers, and press OK to import. If a Job with the same
name already
exists in the internal memory, a message will appear with the options to
overwrite the existing job, attach the new points to the current job, or
rename the job for the file being imported.
If new points are attached to the current job, and the same point ID
already exists, the existing point ID will be renamed with a numerical
suffix. For example, PointID23 will be renamed to PointID23_1. The
maximum renamed suffix is 10, e.g. PointID23_10. For a backup folder:
Take note of the warning message displayed and press OK to proceed and
import the folder.
If the file is an ASCII file, the Define ASCII Import screen will appear.
Define the delimiter value and the data fields of the file and press OK to
continue.

A message will display once the file or backup folder has been successfully
imported.
Note :
A ’+’, ’-’, ’.’ or alphanumerical characters should not be used as delimiter
values in ASCII files. These characters can also be part of the point id or
coordinate values and if so, will generate errors where they occur in the
ASCII file.

2.10 References

4. https:///topics/labreports
5. https:///typesoftheodolite/
6. https:///engineeringsurveyng

23